Retrievable packer and anchor apparatus



Aug. 9, 1966 J. E. EDWARDS, JR

RETRIEVABLE PACKER AND ANCHOR APPARATUS Filed Dec. 15, 1963 a b -1-l flax MQPP 4 Sheets-Sheet l g 9, 1966 J. E. EDWARDS, JR 3,265,132

RETRIEVABLE PACKER AND ANCHOR APPARATUS Filed Dec. 15, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 mama/JEN BY g fi I 7)).lJ. ATTOBMYS 9, 1966 J. E. EDWARDS, JR 3,265,132

' RETRIEVABLE PACKER AND ANCHOR APPARATUS Filed Dec. 15. 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 afiems JR A TTOPNEYS' Aug. 9, 1966 J. E. EDWARDS, JR 3,265,132

RETRIEVABLE PACKER AND ANCHOR APPARATUS Filed Dec. 15, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 A T TORNEXS United States Patent 3,265,132 RETRIEVABLE PAQKER AND ANQHUR APPARATUS Joe E. Edwards, Jr., Houston, Tex., assignor to Brown Uil Tools, Inc, Houston, Tex., a corporation of Texas Filed Dec. 13, 1963, Ser. No. 339,435 16 Claims. (Cl. hid-12d) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in Well tools and relates particularly to retrievable packer or anchor apparatus adapted to be set in well casings or similar conduits disposed within well bores.

One object of the invention is to provide a well packer or anchor apparatus capable of being anchored in a well pipe, such as a casing, against longitudinal movement in both directions and being so constructed that it may be positively released from set position to permit it to be removed and retrieved whenever desired.

Another object is to provide a well packer or anchor apparatus adapted to be anchored in a well casing against both up and down movement and which is preferably set by the hydrostatic head pressure within the well casing and which may be subsequently released by rotation of the tubing or pipe string to which it is attached, whereby said string may be utilized to remove said apparatus from the well; the structure lending itself to a simple modification which will permit it to be set by pressuring up of the tubing string if, for any reason, it is not desirable that said apparatus be set by the hydrostatic head pressure in the well.

An important object is to provide a well packer or anice will be described hereinafter, together with other features thereof.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section of a well packer and anchor apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention and showing the same in its unset position as it is run into the well bore;

FIGURE 2 is a similar view showing the apparatus in its set and anchored position;

FIGURE 3 is a similar view illustrating the position of the parts of the apparatus after it has been released;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged, horizontal cross-sectional view, taken on line 4l4 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged, horizontal cross-sectional view, taken on line 5-5 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged, horizontal cross-sectional view, taken on line 6-6 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged, horizontal cross-sectional view, taken on line 7-7 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged, partial, vertical sectional 4 view of the piston and cylinder section and the lower chor apparatus, of the character described, in which spaced assemblies are associated with an anchoring means, which assemblies and anchoring means are adapted to be set and anchored within a well pipe by means of fluid pressure and are releasable by a rotation of the tubing or other string connected with the apparatus; the construction being such that a positive force is directly applied to the anchoring means during the leasing operating to assure release of said assemblies from their set and anchored position.

Another object is to provide a well packer apparatus wherein each sealing element is supported upon a mandrel which encircles the main support of the apparatus and also wherein each sealing element is connected with an expander member which co-acts with anchoring means; each expander member having a lost motion connection with one of the mandrels whereby, after the anchoring means has been set, the mandrels may undergo suflicient movement with respect to the expanders to assure proper deformation of the sealing elements into sealing position.

A further object is to provide a well packer or anchor apparatus which has means for anchoring it in a well pipe against movement in both longitudinal directions; which is simple and compact in construction; which is moved to set position by hydraulic pressure; which requires no auxiliary hold-down gripping members; and which is provided with a mechanical means which maintains it in set and anchored position, whereby the pressure which effects the setting may be subsequently relieved and yet the apparatus will be maintained in such set and anchored position.

A further object is to provide a well packer apparatus, wherein the sealing elements of the sealing assembly are constructed and arranged so that upon being moved into set position, each sealing element will function in the manner of a sealing cup, whereby any pressure tending to flow past the assembly will act upon the element to move it into tighter sealing position.

The construction designed to carry out the invention sealing element of the apparatus;

FIGURE 9 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 of a modified form of the invention illustrating the parts in the position as the apparatus is run into the well pipe; and

FIGURE 10 is a similar view illustrating the apparatus of FIGURE 9 in its fully set or anchored position.

In the drawings, the well tool is illustrated as a well packer apparatus although, as will be hereinafter pointed out, it may be employed as a pipe anchor. In its preferred form, the apparatus includes a main tubular support It: upon which is mounted an upper sealing and expander assembly A, a lower sealing and expander assembly B, a gripping means unit C and a pressure-actuated means generally indicated at D. The gripping means unit is located between the assemblies A and B and the pressure-actuated means is below the lower assembly B. Actuation of the pressure actuated means D effects a setting of the gripping means of the unit C and movement of the seals of the assemblies A and B into sealing position. When in set position, the apparatus will be anchored against movement in either direction within a well casing or pipe P which is disposed in the well bore.

Referring specifically to FIGURE 1, the tubular support 10 forms the main supporting element of the ap paratus and is coupled by means of the usual coupling collar 11 to the well tubing string T whereby said string is utilized to lower and raise the apparatus within the well casing or pipe P. The mandrel 10 projects throughout the length of the apparatus and has its lower end threaded whereby a usual coupling 11a may connect said lower end into the lower portion of the tubing string (not shown).

Spaced downwardly from the upper end of the support Jill, are relatively coarse right-hand threads 12 which are preferably formed integral with the external surface of the support. The threads are interengaged with complementary threads 13 formed within the bore of a mandrel 14 which surrounds the support and which is a part of the upper sealing and expander assembly A. The threads =13 extend from the lower end of the mandrel but terminate short of the upper end thereof and a suitable seal ring, such as an O-ring 15 provides a seal between the mandrel and the support. The threaded connection between mandrel and support remains in the position shown in FIGURE 1 during lowering of the apparatus and also while the apparatus remains anchored in the well.

An annular abutment or flange 14a is secured to the upper end of the mandrel 14 and has its lower end 14b inclined inwardly and downwardly. The abutment overlies and confines the upper end of an upper annular sealing element 16 which is constructed of rubber, rubber compound or other elastic material and which encircles the mandrel 14. The lower end of the sealing element is inclined complementary to the inclined upper surface 17a of an upper expander sleeve or member 17 and is bonded or secured to said surface. The expander sleeve 17 surrounds the lower portion of the mandrel 14 and is connected thereto by a lost motion connection consisting of pin 19 secured in the expander sleeve and an external groove 20 formed in the external surface of the mandrel. The lost motion connection prevents rotation of the sleeve 17 on the mandrel but permit suflicient longitudinal movement of the parts to apply an endwise force to the sealing element by squeezing the same between the abutment 14a on the mandrel and the upper surface of the sleeve 17. The inclined surfaces 14b and 17a will deform the sealing element into sealing postion with the pipe wall as shown in FIGURE 2 and in such position, the upper peripheral portion 16a of the element 16 forms an upwardly directed sealing lip. The lower exterior surface of the expander sleeve 17 is formed with an inclined expander surface 21 which is adapted to co-act with the gripping means of the unit C as will be hereinafter explained.

The lower sealing and expander assembly B, which is generally of similar construction to the upper assembly A, is spaced downwardly on the support 10. The assembly B includes a mandrel 22 which encircles said support and an annular external flange 24 having its upper surface 24a inclined is formed at the lower portion thereof. A lower sealing element 25 surrounds said mandrel with its lower inclined end being supported upon said flange. The upper end .of the sealing element 25 is also inclined and is confined by the lower inclined end 26a of a lower expander sleeve 26. The expander sleeve 26 encircles the mandrel 22 and is connected therewith by a lost motion connection comprising a pin 27 secured in the expander sleeve and projecting into a longitudinal groove 28 in the exterior of mandrel 22. The pin 27 and groove 28 prevent rotation of the sleeve 26 on the mandrel while permitting sufiicient longitudinal movement between said expander sleeve and mandrel to apply endwise force to the sealing element to deform it into sealing engagement with the pipe as shown in FIGURE 2; when in such position, the lower peripheral portion of the sealing element forms a downwardly directed sealing lip 25b. The upper end of the lower expander sleeve 26 is inclined inwardly and upwardly as shown at 29 and such inclined surface is adapted to co-act with the gripping means of the unit C.

The gripping means unit C includes a plurality of gripping slips 30 which are mounted within a tubular slipcarrier housing 31. The housing 31 is located between the upper sealing and expander assembly A and the lower sealing and expander assembly B and encircles the extremities of the expander sleeves 17 and 26, being connected therewith by the pins 19 and 27 which project outwardly from the expander sleeves into slots 19a and 27a cut in the housing 31. The pins 19 and 17 nonrotatively couple the slip-carrier housing to the expander sleeves but permit longitudinal movement of the expander sleeves relative to said housing and to the gripping slips 30 carried by said housing. The gripping slips 30 are movable radially through slots 32 formed in the housing and their outward displacement from the housing is limited by longitudinally extending stop ribs or projections 33 which are formed at the rear side portion of each slip member (FIGURE 4). The usual friction springs 35, which drag on the bore of the well pipe as the device is lowered, are secured to the exterior of the slip carrier housing 31.

When the expander sleeves 17 and 26 are moved toward each other from the position shown in FIGURE 1, their respective inclined surfaces 21 and 29 co-act with complementary inclined surfaces on the inner surface of each slip member 30 and thereby move said slip members radially outward into gripping position with the wall of the well casing or pipe P. A continued upward movement of the lower mandrel 22 with respect to the lower expander sleeve 22, which movement is permitted by the lost motion connection 27, 28, applies endwise force to the lower seal 25 to deform it into sealing position. Thereafter, continued downward movement of the upper mandrel 14 downwardly with respect to its expander sleeve 17, which is permitted by the lost motion connection 19, 20 results in the application of an endwise force to the upper sealing element 16 to deform it into sealing position. Thus, the sealing elements are moved into sealing engagement with the wall of the well casing or pipe P is shown in FIGURE 2.

As has been noted, the upper peripheral edge portion 16a of the upper sealing element provides a sealing lip exposed to the pressure above the apparatus; similarly, the lower peripheral edge portion 25b of the lower sealing element 25 forms a downwardly directed lip which is exposed to the pressure below the apparatus. Therefore, any pressure tending to displace the apparatus in either direction acts against the sealing element which transmits additional force to the expander to thereby wedge the slips into tighter engagement with the well pipe and assure effective sealing and anchoring of the apparatus within said pipe.

The pressure-actuated means D which effects setting of the seals and anchor is clearly shown in FIGURE 8 and includes a cylinder 36 having its upper end threaded to an annular depending extension 22b of the lower mandrel 22. The cylinder 36 encircles the mandrel in spaced relationship thereto and its lower end is closed by a closure collar 37 which is threaded into the cylinder. The collar 37 spans the annular space between the cylinder bore and the external surface of the support and is sealed with these parts by suitable seats 38 and 39 which may be O-rings. Initially, the collar is connected to the support 10 by a shear pin 40 so that the cylinder and the lower mandrel 22 are releasably connected to the support.

The bore of the collar is counterbored at 37a and bearing rings 38 are disposed within the counterbore, being supported upon the shoulder 37b formed between the bore and said counterbore. A bearing sleeve 41 rests upon the bearing rings 38 and is rotatable within the counterbore 37a; said sleeve has an inwardly directed flange 42 at its lower end which is arranged, as will be explained, to be engaged during the releasing operation, by an annular ring 43 which is secured to and which forms an external shoulder on the exterior of the mandrel. When the collar 37 and the cylinder 36 are connected by the shear pin 40 to the support 10, the ring 43 is spaced upwardly from the bearing sleeve 41 in the manner shown in FIGURE 8. It is noted that in place of the ring an external shoulder may be formed integral with the support 10.

Slideable within the annular spaced formed between the cylinder 36 and the support 10 is an annular piston 44. Seal rings 45 and 46 carried by the piston seal the same with the external surface of support 10 and the bore 36a of the sleeve 36. The upward movement of the piston 44 with respect to the support is limited by a stop shoulder 47 which may be provided by an annular ring mounted on the support. When the piston is in the position shown in FIGURE 8 abutting said shoulder 47, it is spaced from the bottom of the projection 22b of the lower mandrel 22 whereby an annular space 48 is provided between these parts. The lower end of the bore of the projection 22b is beveled as shown at 22c and said projection is sealed with the external surface of the support 10 by a seal ring 49 and is similarly sealed with the bore of the cylinder 36 by a seal ring 50.

For establishing communication between the bore of the support and the annular space 48, a plurality of pressure fluid inlet ports 51 extend through the wall of the support. Such ports may be formed in any suitable manner but it is preferred that they be drilled in radially extending bushings 52 which are threaded into the wall of said support. Certain of the bushings 52 have their ends projecting inwardly into the bore ltia of the tubular support and engage a closure ring 53 which normally covers all of the ports 5].. Suitable seals 54 seal between the closure ring and the support wall. Those bushings 52 which engage the ring 53 function as shear pins to maintain the collar 53 in closing position. A ball 55 or plug is adapted to be pumped downwardly through the support to engage the upper beveled end of the closure upon application of sufiicient pressure to shear the ends of the bushings 52, the ring 53 is displaced downwardly to open the ports and establish communication between the bore of the support and the area 48 above the annular piston 4-4. As will be explained, the ports are opened when it is desired to set the apparatus.

Below the annular piston 44 and disposed within the cylinder 36 is a locking unit L. Such unit includes an annular block 56 having its outer surface 57 inclined to co-act with a plurality of locking members 58 which are arcuate in crosssection (FIGURE 7) and which have gripping teeth 59 thereon; the locking members are interposed between the block 56 and the bore 36a of the cylinder. As shown in FIGURE 8, the locking members normally have their upper surfaces projecting slightly above the upper surface of the block so that the annular piston 44 engages said surfaces. The teeth 59 of the members are arranged to grip in one direction which allows the cylinder to move upwardly relative to the locking unit while preventing downward relative movement thereof.

The locking block 56 is formed with a counterbore 60 whereby a shoulder 6th: is provided between the bore and said counterbore. Bearing rings 61 abut the shoulder and a bearing sleeve 62 is disposed in the counterbore so as to be rotatable therein. The locking block is supported upon an external supporting ring 63 secured to the exterior of the support, with said ring being disposed within the bore of the bearing sleeve 62.

The annular area between the piston 44 and the collar 37 which closes the lower end of the cylinder forms a closed air chamber 64. This chamber is at atmospheric pressure, as is the space 43 above the piston when the apparatus is assembled at the surface. However, when the fluid inlet ports 51 in the support are opened, the hydrostatic head pressure within the pipe P and Within tubing string T which is also present within the bore of the tubular support lit may enter the space 48 and act downwardly-upon the upper surface of the piston as as well as upwardly against the lower end of mandrel 22. Because the apparatus is normally located at a depth of several thousand feet below the surface, the hydrostatic head pressure is always sufiicient to overcome the opposing force of the atmospheric pressure trapped in the air chamber 64. As is well known, the hydrostatic head pressure in a well will vary from a few hundred psi. up to 15,000 p.s.i. or more, depending upon the depth at which the apparatus is located and, therefore, the force is always suihcient at the depth where the apparatus is located, to overcome the atmospheric pressure in the air chamber and set said apparatus.

Upon admission of the higher pressure into the area 48, the piston 44 immediately moves the locking members 58 of the locking unit downwardly to assure that their gripping teeth 59 engage the wall of the cylinder 36. However, since the loclting block 56 of the locking unit is supported upon the shoulder 63 formed by the external ring on the support it), further downward movement of the piston is resisted because the block and piston are, in effect, suspended from the support it}. The pressure is also acting upwardly against the lower seal mandrel 22 and upward movement of this mandrel, which is attached to the cylinder 36, is resisted only by the shear pin 40 and the atmospheric pressure within the air chamber 64. It is noted that at this time, the hydrostatic head pressure acting upon the upper and lower ends of the cylinder 36 is balanced so that shearing of the pin 40 is assured. When this occurs, the lower mandrel 22 and cylinder 36 move upwardly with respect to the annular piston 44 and the locking unit L. Upward movement of cylinder relative to the locking unit is possible because of the shape of the teeth 59 of the locking members 58.

As the lower mandrel 22 moves upwardly, force is transmitted through the lower seal element 25 to the lower expander sleeve 26; the expander sleeve engages the rear surfaces of the main gripping slips 3t} and first moves the slips upwardly relative to the upper expander 17, after which the slips are urged radially outwardly into gripping engagement with the pipe wall. Thereafter, upward motion of the lower expander sleeve is halted but, by reason of the lost motion connection 27, 2%, the lower mandrel can continue to move upwardly to apply endwise force to the lower sealing element 25 to move it to its set position. Thereafter, further upward movement of the lower mandrel is prevented.

The continued application of pressure within the area 48 reacts against the piston 44 and through the locking unit L and shoulder 63 to apply a downward force to the main support to move said support downwardly relative to the anchored assemblies A and B. Downward movement of the support is possible because there is suificient stretch in the tubing string to allow said support to undergo such motion. As the support moves downwardly, it pulls the mandrel 14 and its abutment 14a downwardly to apply the required endwise force to the upper sealing element to deform the same into sealing position. Downward movement of said upper mandrel relative to the upper expander sleeve 17, which is anchored by main slips 3!), is permitted by the lost motion connection 19, 2t

In the operation of the apparatus, the parts are in the position shown in FIGURE 1 with the upper and lower seals 16 and 25 and anchoring slip's 30 in retracted position. The pressure fluid inlet ports 51 in the support lid are closed by the closure ring 53 which is maintained in place by the ends of certain of the shear bushings 52. The apparatus is lowered to proper position by means of the tubing string 10.

Upon reaching the elevation at which the apparatus is to be set, the ball 55 (FIGURE 1) is dropped downwardly through the tubing string and comes to rest on the upper end of the closure ring 53. The application of a pressure sufficient to shear the port bushings 52 permits the ring and ball to be pumped downwardly into the lower end of the string. Removal of the ring 53 opens the ports 51 and establishes communication between the bore of the tubing and the area 43 above the annular piston 44 of the pressure-actuated means D whereby the hydrostatic head pressure within the tubing string may be applied directly to the upper end of the piston 44 and to the lower end of the lower mandrel 22 of the assembly B. The initial action of the pressure moves the piston into firm contact with the locking members 59 of the locking unit L and assures that the locking unit is supported on the shoulder formed by the ring 63.

The pressure within the area 4-8 initially acts against the lower mandrel 22 which has connection with the cylinder and applies an upward force suflicient to shear the pin 40, thereby causing the cylinder and its bottom collar 37 to move upwardly on the main support 10. As the cylinder and the lower mandrel 22 move upwardly, a force is transmitted through the lower seal element 25 to the lower expander 26. The upward movement of the lower expander 26 creates a resultant force by reason of contact of its inclined inner surface 29 with the rear surfaces of the main gripping slips 30 whereby the slips are moved upwardly with respect to the inclined surface 21 of the upper expander 17. This motion continues until the slips 30 are urged radially into contact with the wall of the well casing or pipe after which further upward movement of the expander 26 is halted. Thereafter, as explained, the lower mandrel 22 is urged upwardly to set the lower sealing element 25.

The pressure forces acting within the area 48 then act upon the piston 44 in a downward direction and are transmitted through the locking unit L and the shoulder formed by the ring 63 directly to the main support 10 to urge the said main support downwardly. The downward movement of the main support, which may occur by reason of the inherent stretch in the tubing T, pulls the upper mandrel 14 and its abutment 14a downwardly to apply the necessary endwise force to deform the upper sealing element 16 into sealing engagement with the well pipe. At this time, the apparatus is fully set and anchored and the parts have assumed the position shown in FIG- URE 2. The gripping slips 30 are set and both seal units 16 and have been deformed into sealing engagement with the well casing. As has been noted, the upper seal element 16 presents an upwardly directed lip 16b to the pressure thereabove while the lower seal element presents a downwardly facing lip 25b to the pressure therebelow. Any excessive pressure from either above or below will act on said lips to urge the apparatus into tighter setting position.

The locking segments 58 prevent any downward return movement of sleeve 36 relative to support 10. This mechanical lock maintains the expansible seals in the set position. Note that while the hydrostatic head remains in the tubing, locking means L would not be necessary. However, if the tubing was swabbed, this would cause a drop in the hydrostatic pressure and then locking means L would maintain the packer in set position.

When in fully set position, the volume of the air chamber 64, which is formed between the piston 44 and the collar 37, has been reduced. This results in an increase in the pressure of the air within this chamber but the pressure increase is relatively slight as compared to the available hydrostatic head pressure which acts within the area or space 48 and has no effect on the operation.

In actual practice, the setting of the apparatus occurs almost instantaneously. The forces on those parts of the pressure-actuated means exposed to pressure move from zero pressure to maximum pressure as soon as the ports 51 are opened. The packer is literally slammed to its fully set position and the velocity of the moving parts assists in assuring that a tight setting of the main slips and a proper deformation of the sealing elements 16 and 25 is effected.

When it is desired to release the apparatus, the tubing T is rotated to the right, resulting in a rotation of the main tubular support 10. The slips 30, being engaged with the wall of the pipe, have frictional engagement with the expanders and also said expanders are attached to the set sealing elements and mandrels so that said sealing elements, expanders and mandrels 14 and 22 are held stationary. Thus, rotation of the support is with respect to all of these parts and particularly with respect to the upper mandrel 14 which may be referred to as a release mandrel. In spite of the assemblies A and B, gripping means unit C and cylinder 36 being held stationary, rotation of the support 10 is possible because the shoulder formed by ring 63 and attached to the support may undergo rotation along with the support with respect to the stationary parts by reason of the bearing rings 61 and 62; during such rotation, the main block 56 and member 57 of the locking unit, as well as piston 44 and cylinder 36 may remain stationary.

As rotation of the support takes place, the coarse right-hand threads 12 on the upper portion of the support will rotate with respect to the upper release mandrel 14. Such rotation imparts upward movement to the release mandrel 14 relative to the support which, in effect, jacks the release mandrel 11 upwardly with respect to the support. As the mandrel 14 is jacked upwardly, its abutment 14a relieves the force acting upon the sealing element 16 to permit the element to retract. Therefore, through its connection to the upper expander, said mandrel pulls the upper expander from behind the main gripping slips 30.

The jacking action not only moves the mandrel upwardly relative to the support but also said support is moving downwardly with respect to the lower mandrel and expander, as well as with respect to the cylinder and closure collar 37. This downward movement ultimately causes the shoulder formed by the ring 43 to enter the bearing sleeve 41 of the closure collar 37 and to apply a downward force upon said collar, whereby the cylinder 36, its seal mandrel 22 and the upper expander 26 are all moved in a direction to release the slips and permit retraction of the lower sealing element 25. The fully unset position of the device is illustrated in FIGURE 3.

It is noted that as the expanders are pulled away from the slips 34, the slips lose frictional contact with the casing. However, at this point, the frictional drag wiper springs 35 on the slip carrier housing 31 function to prevent rotation of said housing 31 and through the pins 19 rotation of the upper release mandrel 14 is prevented. This assures that the tubing can continue to rotate the support 10 relative to mandrel 14 to withdraw the expanders from behind the slips and to complete full release of the apparatus. After the slips and sealing units are retracted from engagement with the pipe wall, the apparatus may be withdrawn from the well bore by means of the tubing.

Although it is preferable and in many instances more desirable that the pressure-actuated means D be operated by the hydrostatic head pressure in the well bore, the structure may be modified to permit the usual type of hydraulic operaiton. This may be accomplished by providing a plurality of openings indicated by the dotted lines 70 in FIGURE 8, in the wall of the cylinder between the piston 44 and the lower closure collar 37. In such instance, a retaining seat indicated by dotted lines 71 (FIG- URE 8) would be provided in the support 10 at a point below the ports 51. In this instance, the closure ring 53 is omitted so that the ports 51 remain open at all times. When the apparatus is to be set, a ball (not shown) is dropped to engage the seat 71 and close the bore of the support. The required fluid pressure may be built up within the interior of the tubing and the support as by pumps at the surface, and such pressure would act within the area 48 above the piston 44. In this modification, the operation would be identical except that the pressure fluid source would be other than the hydrostatic head pressure within the well.

Although the preferred form of the invention shows the use of two seal elements, the packer would work with only one. For example, if the upper seal alone is used, the lower mandrel 22 and the lower expander 26 would be made integral. Also, the outward bevel 17a on the upper end of the expander 17 would be reversed to an inward bevel. Then, in the set position, differential pressure from above would act as before against the seal and be transmitted directly to the expander 17. However, pressure from below acts against the seal 16. This upward force is transmitted to the abutment 14a, mandrel 14, support 10, block 56, lock slips 53, cylinder 36, and then to lower expander 26. This upward force tends to set the slips 30 tighter, preventing any movement of the packer.

In FIGURES 9 and 10, a modified form of the invention is illustrated. In this form, the threaded connection 12, 13 between the tubular support 10 and the upper mandrel 14 is eliminated and instead the locking unit L is modified to provide a release sleeve. As shown in FIGURE 9, an upper sealing and expander assembly A includes a mandrel 114 which is confined 011 sesame the support it) between confining shoulders 80 and 81 which are formed by rings secured to the exterior of the support. The upper assembly also includes an expander sleeve 117, similar to the expander sleeve 17, and a packing element 112 similar to the element 12. A lower sealing and expander assembly B includes mandrel 122, similar to mandrel 22, expander sleeve 126, similar to expander sleeve 26, and sealing element 125, similar to sealing element 25.

Between the upper and lower sealing assemblies is a gripping means unit C similar in construction to unit C of the first form and including gripping slips 130 and slip carrier housing 131. Depending from the lower mandrel 122 is a cylinder 136, similar to cylinder 36 within which is located annular piston 144 similar to the piston 44. An annular locking plug 156, similar to locking plug 56, has slips 158 which are comparable to the slips 58 of the first form. The locking plug 156 is formed at the upper end of a release sleeve 81 and the bore of this sleeve has coarse release threads 113 which are engaged by coarse release threads 112 provided on the exterior of the support. As will be explained, these threads will function to release the apparatus from its set position. The cylinder 136 may undergo limited longitudinal movement with respect to the release sleeve 82. by means of a pin 82a secured in the lower end of the cylinder and projecting into an external groove 83 formed on the release sleeve.

Fluid inlet ports 151 are formed in the support to communicate with the area 148 above the piston 144. An annular seating collar 84 is secured by a shear pin 85 within the lower end of the bore of the support 10.

In the operation of this form, the apparatus is lowered with the parts in the position of FIGURE 9 and when it is desired to set the device, the ball 55' or plug is dropped downwardly and engages seating collar 84. The tubing may then be pressured up and directed into the area 148 so that the upper and lower sealing assemblies and the gripping means unit are moved into set position in the manner heretofore described. Such set position is illustrated in FIGURE 10.

The release threads 112 and 113 are left-hand threads and, upon rotation of the tubular support when the parts are in position of FIGURE 10, the lower abutment formed by the locking block 156 is moved downwardly with respect to the support. Through the pin 82a, a downward pull is imparted to the lower mandrel 122 and the lower expander 126 to pull the expander from behind the gripping slips 130. At the same time, the support 110 moves upwardly and this moves the upper mandrel 114 and expander 117 upwardly to positively retract the upper expander from behind the slips. It is evident that the gripping means and the sealing elements are thus retracted.

Actually the modification operates in substantially the same way as the first form except that release is effected by coaction with the lower abutment which is formed by the locking plug 156, rather than with the upper abutment 14a of the upper release mandrel 14 of the first form.

As shown and described, the apparatus is a well packer apparatus. However, it may be employed as an anchor tool merely by omitting the sealing elements In and 25. When such sealing elements are omitted, the upper mandrel M may be directly connected or made integral with the upper expander 17 while the lower mandrel 22 may be directly connected or made integral with the lower expander sleeve 26. The operation would be as described with respect to setting the gripping slips 30 to anchor the device against movement in both directions within the well.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction, may be made 19 within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a well tool adapted to be set in a well pipe including,

a tubular support,

an anchoring assembly encircling the support and comprising an upper expander, a lower expander spaced therebelow, and gripping members spaced about and co-acting with the. expanders,

movement of the expanders toward each other expanding the gripping members into pipe-gripping position and movement of the expanders away from each other retracting said gripping members,

a release mandrel connected with the upper expander and surrounding the support,

a releasable connection between said release mandrel and support, preventing longitudinal movement between the mandrel and support,

a second mandrel connected with the lower expander and slideable on the support,

pressure-actuated means on the support below the lower expander and having two parts movable longitudinally relative to each other, one part being attached to the support and the second part being attached to the second mandrel,

movement of said parts of said pressure-actuated means in one direction effecting a relative movement of the release mandrel and the second mandrel in a direction to move the upper and lower expanders with respect to'each other to thereby urge the gripping members into pipe-gripping position,

and means for conducting a pressure fluid to the parts of the pressure-actuated means to move the parts thereof in that direction which urges the gripping members into gripping position.

2. A well tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein rotation of the support relative to the release mandrel actuates the releasable connection to move the support downwardly with respect to the release mandrel when the gripping members are in gripping position,

means connecting said lower expander to the support whereby downward movement between the support and release mandrel also results in downward movement of the second mandrel, whereby said mandrels move away from each other to positively move the upper and lower expanders in directions releasing the gripping members from pipe-gripping position.

3. A well tool as set forth in claim 1, together with means establishing communication between the well bore and the means for conducting a pressure fluid to the pressure-actuated means whereby the latter is actuated by the hydrostatic head pressure within the well bore.

4. A Well tool as set forth in claim 1, together with latching means initially connecting the support to that part of the pressure-actuated means which is attached to said second mandrel to maintain the gripping members in nongripping position,

said latching means being releasable by a predetermined pressure being applied to the pressure-actuated means.

5. A well tool as set forth in claim 1, together with an upper sealing element associated with the upper expander,

a lower sealing element associated with the lower expander,

and means on the release mandrel and on the second mandrel coacting with the upper sealing element and lower sealing element respectively to apply endwise force to said sealing elements to deform the same into sealing position after the gripping members have moved into pipe-gripping position.

6. A well tool as set forth in claim ll, together with an upper sealing element associated with the upper expander,

a lower sealing element associated with the lower expander,

and means on the release mandrel and on the second mandrel coacting with the upper sealing element and lower sealing element respectively to apply endwise force to said sealing elements to deform the same into sealing position after the gripping members have moved into pipe-gripping position,

the upper sealing element presenting an upwardly directed lip to pressure thereabove and the lower sealing element presenting a downwardly directed sealing lip to pressure therebelow when the elements are deformed into sealing position.

7. In a Well tool adapted to be set in a well pipe, in-

eluding,

a tubular support,

an upper expander mounted for limited sliding movement with respect to said support,

a lower expander spaced from the upper expander and also mounted for limited sliding movement with respect to said support,

gripping members spaced about the expanders and support,

each gripping member having upper and lower expander surfaces complementary to and engaging said upper and lower expanders respectively,

the expanders and gripping members being movable relative to each other in one direction to move said gripping members outwardly into gripping position with the well pipe to thereby anchor the support and expanders within said pipe,

at pressure-actuated means carried by the support and having a part secured by a lost-motion connected to the lower expander and a second part directly secured to the support,

means for conducting a pressure fluid to the area between the parts of said pressure-actuated means to urge the parts away from each other and thereby move the lower expander upwardly and the support and upper expander downwardly to set the gripping members into pipe-gripping position,

a release mandrel having threaded connection with the support and interposed between the support and the upper expander,

and a lost-motion connection between said release mandrel and said expander, whereby the expander may move a limited distance relative to the mandrel,

rotation of the support with respect to the mandrel actuating the threaded connection between the mandrel and support to move the upper expander and the lower expander in directions relative to the gripping members which will retract the gripping members from pipe-gripping position.

8. A well tool as set forth in claim 7, together with means establishing communication between the well bore and the means for conducting pressure fluid to the pressure-actuated means whereby the hydrostatic head pressure in the well bore is utilized to actuate said pressure-actuated means.

9. A well tool as set forth in claim 7, together with frangible means initially connecting the support to that part of the pressure-actuated means which is secured to the lower expander to maintain the upper and lower expanders in spaced relation and the gripping members in nongripping position,

said frangible means being fractured when the pressureaetuated means is operated by the application of pressure fluid thereto.

10. A well tool as set forth in claim 7, together with an upper annular sealing element supported upon the upper expander and having its upper end engaged by an abutment secured to the release mandrel,

and a lower annular sealing element having its upper 12 end engaging the lower expander and its lower end engaged by an abutment which is disposed on that part of the pressure-actuated means which is secured by the lost-motion connection to said lower expander, said sealing elements being subjected to endwise force to deform the same into sealing position when the gripping members are set into pipe-gripping position by actuation of the pressure-actuated means.

11. A well tool as set forth in claim 7, together with an upper annular sealing element supported upon the upper expander and having its upper end engaged by an abutment secured to the release mandrel,

and a lower annular sealing element having its upper end engaging the lower expander and its lower end engaged by an abutment which is disposed on that part of the pressure-actuated means which is secured by the lost-motion connection to said lower expander,

said sealing elements being subjected to endwise force to deform the same into sealing position when the gripping members are set into pipe-gripping position by actuation of the pressure-actuated means,

the upper sealing element forming an upwardly facing sealing lip and the lower sealing element forming a downwardly facing lip when said elements are deformed into sealing position.

12. A well tool as set forth in claim 7, wherein the lostmotion connection between the release mandrel and the upper expander and the lost-motion connection between the lower expander and said one part of the pressureaetuated means are so located that movement of said expanders in directions expanding the gripping members takes up said lost motion to thereafter provide a direct connection between the release mandrel and upper expander and also between the lower expander and said part of the pressure-actuated means whereby subsequent movement of the release mandrel and pressure-actuated means in a direction to retract the gripping members applies a direct force to said expanders.

13. In a well tool adapted to be set in a well pipe ineluding,

a tubular support,

an upper abutment means surrounding the support,

a lower abutment means surrounding the support spaced from the upper abument,

an upper expander surrounding the support and confined against upper movement on the support by said upper abutment,

a lower expander surrounding the support and confined against downward movement on the support by said lower abutment,

pipe gripping means carried by the support between the expanders,

eo-acting means on said expanders and said gripping means whereby movement of said expanders in one direction with respect to each other moves the gripping means into pipe-gripping position and movement of said expanders in an opposite direction retracts said gripping means from pipe-gripping position,

pressure-actuated means on the support below the lower expander and having two parts movable longitudinally relative to each other, one part being connected with the support and the other part being connected with the lower expander,

movement of said parts of said pressure-actuated means in one direction effecting a relative movement between the expanders to move the pipe-gripping means into gripping position,

means for conducting a pressure fluid to the parts of the pressure-actuated means to urge the gripping member into gripping position,

a releasable connection for releasably connecting one of the abutments to the support, actuation of said releasable connection effecting a relative longitudinal movement of the support with respect to said abutment whereby said abutment is moved in a direction 13 away from the other abutment, whereby the expanders confined by the abutments may move in a direction to release said gripping members, and means for actuating the releasable connection by expander and having two parts movable longitudinally relative to each other, one part being attached to the support and the second part being attached to the second mandrel,

rotation of the support. 1 5 movement of said parts of said pressure-actuated means 14. A well tool as set forth in claim 13, wherein the in one direction efifecting relative movement of the releasable connection is located between the support and mandrels and expanders in a direction to urge the the upper abutment. gripping means into pipe-gripping position,

15. A well tool as set forth in claim 13, wherein the means for conducting pressure fluid to the parts of the releasable connection is located between the support and pressure-actuated means to actuate the same and set the upper abutment. the gripping means,

16. In a well tool adapted to be set in a well pipe a releasing sleeve surrounding the support and having including, connection with the lower mandrel through one of a tubular support, the movable parts of the pressure-actuated means,

an anchoring assembly encircling the support and comand (lo-acting means 011 Said releasing Sleeve and Said prising an upper expander, a lower expander spaced pp actuated p rotation Of the support for therebelow, nd gripping m b spaced b t d moving the mandrels and expanders in a direction to co-acting with the expanders, release said gripping means.

movement of the expanders toward each other expanding the gripping members into pipe-gripping position Referemes Cited by the Examiner and movement of the expanders away from each TE STATES TE TS other retracting Said pp members, 2 990 332 7 19 1 Brown 1 12 a mandrel connected with the upper expander and sur- 142,333 7/1964 Brown rounding attached to the support, 3,180,419 4/1965 Cochran et al 166 120 a second mandrel connected with the lower expander CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner. I. A. LEPPINK, Assistant Examiner.

and slidea'ble on the support, pressure-actuated means on the support below the lower 

1. IN A WELL TOOL ADAPTED TO BE SET IN A WELL PIPE INCLUDING, A TUBULAR SUPPORT, AN ANCHORING ASSEMBLY ENCIRCLING THE SUPPORT AND COMPRISING AN UPPER EXPANDER, A LOWER EXPANDER SPACED THEREBELOW, AND GRIPPING MEMBERS SPACED ABOUT AND CO-ACTING WITH THE EXPANDERS, MOVEMENT OF THE EXPANDERS TOWARD EACH OTHER EXPANDING THE GRIPPING MEMBERS INTO PIPE-GRIPPING POSITION AND MOVEMENT OF THE EXPANDERS AWAY FROM EACH OTHER RETRACTING SAID GRIPPING MEMBERS, A RELEASE MANDREL CONNECTED WITH THE UPPER EXPANDER AND SURROUNDING THE SUPPORT, A RELEASABLE CONNECTION BETWEEN SAID RELEASE MANDREL AND SUPPORT, PREVENTING LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE MANDREL AND SUPPORT, A SECOND MANDREL CONNECTED WITH THE LOWER EXPANDER AND SLIDEABLE ON THE SUPPORT, PRESSURE-ACTUATED MEANS ON THE SUPPORT BELOW THE LOWER EXPANDER AND HAVING TWO PARTS MOVABLE LONGITUDINALLY RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER, ONE PART BEING ATTACHED TO THE SUPPORT AND THE SECOND PART BEING ATTACHED TO THE SECOND MANDREL, MOVEMENT OF SAID PARTS OF SAID PRESSURE-ACTUATED MEANS IN ONE DIRECTION EFFECTING A RELATIVE MOVEMENT OF THE RELEASE MANDREL AND THE SECOND MANDREL IN A DIRECTION TO MOVE THE UPPER AND LOWER EXPANDERS WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER TO THEREBY URGE THE GRIPPING MEMBERS INTO PIPE-GRIPPING POSITION, AND MEANS FOR CONDUCTING A PRESSURE FLUID TO THE PARTS OF THE PRESSURE-ACTUATED MEANS TO MOVE THE PARTS THEREOF IN THAT DIRECTION WHICH URGES THE GRIPPING MEMBERS INTO GRIPPING POSITION. 